Surrey's schools have enjoyed good improvement in the percentage of level five or better key stage three results.

Starting from a strong base in 1998, the authority has seen a six per cent increase in good marks for English, 15 per cent rise in maths and 12 per cent rise in science.

The authority enjoys 79, 82 and 79 per cent level five or better in the three core subjects. All the scores were well above the England averages of 73 per cent in English, 77 per cent in maths and 72 per cent in science.

For 14-year-olds around the country it was one of the best year's improvement in some time.

Schools minister Jim Knight said: "Pupils, parents and teachers should be very proud of their achievements and I congratulate them.

"Knee-jerk carping about standards ignores the massive improvement in the attainment of young people since 1997 - backed up by our record investment in schools."

Heathside School in Brooklands Lane, Weybridge, had some impressive results in 2006, including 91 per cent of pupils gaining level five in English and 61 per cent the highest, level six.

Hinchley Wood School in Claygate Lane, Esher, saw 90 per cent of its pupils gain level five in both Engish and maths.

Mr Knight added: "It is important to recognise that girls are doing better than boys across the industrialised world. Internationally, teachers and educationalists are wrestling with it and the related societal issues.

"There are not any easy, overnight solutions we can prescribe to address this. I am determined that we enthuse and engage boys in English but this is about taking a far broader approach in schools and Government than simply using stereotyped fighting and football texts."

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